Lepuissant's double-double powers Garden City past Frank Phillips

By Mike Pilosof

Photo by Adam Shrimplin

Garden City, KS-One emphatic fist pump from Patrick Hiltz said it all.

Apolline Lepuissant posted a double-double with 16 digs and 10 kills, Tola Maczka tallied 19 assists, and Garden City beat Frank Phillips in four sets 25-19, 25-15, 20-25, and 25-23 in Friday afternoon's regular-season opener at Conestoga Arena.

"We talked about maintaining emotional control, especially with it being the first match of the season," Hiltz said. "I like how we stayed steady the entire time."

After a bit of a slow start, Air Force transfer Kate Perryman rifled a crosscourt kill. That was followed by a tremendous dig by Miranda Jenkins, which setup a backline spike by Fiona Arnold that tied the set at six.

"We had a few mental hiccups, but other than that, we played well," Hiltz said.

Frank Philips kept things close for most of the frame before Garden City closed on a 9-3 run that included a sensational double block by Perryman and Hannah Brandt.

"I told our girls that we couldn't give them a reason to get back in the match," Hiltz added.

After cruising by in the second set, the Broncbusters dropped the third. But they bounced back in the fourth. 

"We had to regain our footing a bit," Hiltz explained.

After squandering a four-point edge, which had the home team trailing 23-21 in the fourth, Lepuissant rallied the Broncbusters with a hammer from the left side. That was followed by a net violation and a rotation error by Frank Phillips that setup match point. From there, it was Perryman, who put the Plainsmen on ice by blocking Campbell Horn's attack.

"This is a great first win," Hiltz said. "And what can you say about Apolline. She took care of the ball and was aggressive. She has no fear."

Emmah Sultz chipped in 17 assists, and Arnold had 14 kills and 10 digs for Garden City, which won a season opener for the second time in three years.